Adjustable fast press with PCA shuttle and modular expansion capabilities

A press for testing printed circuit boards in conjunction with a conventional probe card testing assembly, the press comprising:

• a press mount, said press mount being mounted over the probe card testing assembly;
• a plurality of synchronously rotatable screws each comprising a sprocket for rotating said screw;
• and
• a chain engaging each of said sprockets for rotating said screws synchronously to actuate height adjustment of said plate relative the probe card assembly;
• a press assembly attached to said press mount said press assembly comprising a movable frame having an upper surface, said upper surface having a plurality of threaded bosses for engaging said screws, an actuator attached to said movable frame, and a plate attached to said actuator by a plurality of synchronized force-applying members;
• and
• a shuttle system comprising a drawer and a drawer support, said drawer having a substantially open bottom surface, said drawer sized to accommodate a printed circuit board placed therein, said drawer support disposed within said stationary frame, said drawer support configured to engage said drawer and to permit horizontal movement of said drawer along said drawer support.

A method of testing printed circuit boards in conjunction with a conventional probe card testing assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• causing a printed circuit board of specific thickness to be placed in a testing position upon the testing assembly;
• moving a press assembly comprising a movable frame, said movable frame being coupled to a plurality of force-applying members and having a plate with a first end and a second end attached thereto, said plate being height adjustable relative said movable frame;
• and
• simultaneously actuating said force-applying members by means of a pneumatic rotary actuator thereby causing said plate to move a predetermined stroke to contact the printed circuit board with sufficient force and with equal downward pressure on both said first end and said second end of said plate to enable testing of the printed circuit board.